Brendan Hoban, writing in the Western People, comments on the factors that may influence the outcome of the proposed referendum on the eight amendment to the constitution.
“In a strange way the vote may break down not in terms of how convincing the arguments are one way or the other but how the debate is conducted by the different protagonists.”
Pope Francis gives local bishops more responsibility for Mass translations.
“In order that the renewal of the whole liturgical life might continue, it seemed opportune that some principles handed on since the time of the [Second Vatican] Council should be more clearly reaffirmed and put into practice.”
Seamus Ahearne reflects on current happenings and events and is inspired by them and the ocean’s currents.
“… the core of the Church message is to draw out the goodness and beauty of every person. We have to bring out the best in each other. We have to join as a collective and come ashore hand in hand – fully believing in this Communion. The false divisions of the past have to be cast aside. We need to be fearless in making big and new decisions. Francis is leading the way. Throw caution to the wind! How dare we fail as teachers, as ministers, as people of faith. We cannot settle for less than greatness.”
Sarah Mac Donald reports in the National Catholic Reporter on the recent call by the ACP to pause the introduction of the permanent diaconate in Irish dioceses until the Vatican’s commission on women deacons has concluded its report and Pope Francis has made a decision based on its findings.
Mattie Long sees the newly implemented policy in Kerry diocese about Sunday funerals as a symptom of a problem that is not being confronted in realistic and creative ways.
Chris McDonnell writing in the Catholic Times suggests that one of the fruits of a ‘Year of the People’ would be to ‘offer a forum for an exchange between the once silent majority and the decision making minority.’ It ‘would give us the framework for open discussion in an honest and sincere manner. ‘
Is there an appetite for such a year?
“Coping International is a voluntary mental health organisation that promotes the well-being of children of Catholic Priests and Religious as well as their parents worldwide. We work alongside the church encouraging openness toward people affected by this issue.”
Brian Fahy in looking back at years that have passed points to an important lesson. “‘Forgive and forget’ will not do. ‘Remember and forgive’ seems to be a far better way to healthy living today.”
Brendan Hoban in his Western People column casts an eye at a sense of entitlement that can lead to some people in positions of responsibility and authority being disconnected with the everyday realities of ‘ordinary’ life.
Brendan Hoban lets us know what he’s reading this summer when he’s not writing his column for the Western People.
Chris McDonnell writing recently in the Catholic Times suggests that a rethink of ‘vocation’ is needed but that there will only be a response to the current crisis when ‘a realistic connection is made with contemporary needs.’
The editorial staff of the NCR call for a dialogue about sexual ethics.
“We strongly encourage dialogue between laypeople and church leaders regarding all issues in the sexual sphere. But we also recognize that dialogue can have its limits, particularly if those in leadership do not demonstrate an openness to developing the church’s teaching on sex and sexuality.”
Seamus Ahearne looks at the week that was, raids ‘the pockets of God’ and “lifts us beyond the ordinary and the obvious and enables us to see the treasure and the pearl.”
Brian Fahy, on reading the recent article by Gabriel Daly OSA, speaks of other ‘guiding lights’, people and writers ‘whose words and spirit would stir life in me’.
The Irish Independent interviewed Tim Hazelwood, member of ACP leadership team, concerning the false allegation that was made against him and the toll it took on him. Tim also deals with the pressures that priests experience due to the continuing and increasing shortage of priests.
Gabriel Daly shares with us a lecture he delivered at the Church of Ireland parish church, Clontarf. The occasion was an ecumenical conference, ‘One Lord, One Faith’, marking the 500th anniversary of the year that Martin Luther sparked the Protestant Reformation.
Brian Fahy muses on what has changed in church, and what church should be … “A place that gathers you in to bless you and encourage you, and that then points out the road to you, the road of your life that you are encouraged to walk, until you reach God’s holy mountain.
We need a Church like that, to gather us in, to fire our hearts and to set us on our way.”
Women’s Ordination Worldwide (WOW) celebrates the feast of St. Mary Magdalene (July 22) with the launch of Dr. Annette Esser’s beautiful original painting, “Longing for the Sun of Justice.” The painting symbolizes women’s calling to priesthood, not granted by men in the church, but through Christ.
Pádraig McCarthy draws attention to a series of articles in the NCR. “On the National Catholic Reporter website this week, beginning 17 July, is ‘a series of stories that will challenge our readers to look at the scandal of sexual abuse of minors by clergy from several different viewpoints: from the perspective of a victim/survivor, from the perspective of a convicted offender, from the perspective of a family member of a victim, and from the perspective of professional advocates and watchdogs.’ “
Brendan Hoban, writing in the Western People, says that while it’s good that there is now some recognition of the huge crisis facing the Irish church due to a lack of priests it is past time to take action.
.”Regularly now, in what used to be a listing of priests’ changes in June, we have a listing of parishes who no longer will have a resident priest but will be serviced by a priest in an adjoining parish. Unless something practical is done, that will keep happening until there’s only one priest left with a helicopter trying to cover funerals, weddings and baptisms over several parishes leaving most churches in a diocese without Mass, Sunday or weekday.”
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